Utilities contribute thousands to officials

Council weighs support for SDG&amp;E shutoff plan

San Diego Gas & Electric may get a boost for its plan to turn off power in the backcountry during dangerous fire conditions when the San Diego City Council decides today whether to support it.

The company, and utilities that oppose the plan, have been giving campaign contributions to council members.

SDG&E's parent company, Sempra Energy, hosted fundraisers for council members Ben Hueso and Marti Emerald in recent months, and Hueso and Emerald have championed the proposed shutoff plan.

A favorable council vote would be key for SDG&E as it tries to build momentum for a Sept. 10 hearing where it will seek approval from state regulators – although the company says it will move forward anyway.

Supporters say the plan will prevent electrical lines from sparking wildfires during dry, windy weather. Opponents say it will impede important functions like communications and garage-door openers for 60,000 residents.

In the last election cycle, current city officials received more than $15,000 in campaign contributions from SDG&E and Sempra executives and employees. High-profile opponents of the plan, Cox Communications and AT&T, gave $6,400.

Direct contributions are limited by contribution caps, but some companies host fundraisers that bring deeper support for a candidate.

It's unclear how much Hueso received from the fundraiser held for him because he and Sempra have yet to file disclosures, but the May 26 event was held at Sempra's headquarters in downtown San Diego.

Emerald has collected $1,890 from Sempra and SDG&E executives, half of which came from a Feb. 2 fundraiser, since she won election in November. Before that, Sempra raised money for her opponent, accountant April Boling.

Emerald and Hueso co-authored an editorial in favor of the shutoff plan. In it, they said the plan “may not be a perfect solution, but we are operating under imperfect conditions, and we need to protect ourselves by supporting this proactive effort.”

Emerald asked for a council vote on the issue earlier this month, and Hueso fast-tracked it by bringing it to the full council instead of to a committee, as is the normal practice.

Emerald and Hueso declined interview requests but have said previously that contributions do not affect their actions.

Critics of the shutoff plan question whether their views will be heard at today's 2 p.m. hearing.

“It's obvious that the fix is in before the opposition has been heard. Do they even have a chance?” County Supervisor Dianne Jacob said. “My constituents don't have elected officials on speed dial, and SDG&E does.”

Sempra spokeswoman Stephanie Donovan said those who would suggest the company's fundraising efforts were intended to influence votes – “which we vehemently deny” – should consider the political contributions made by the plan's opponents.

Hueso is raising money for his bid for state Assembly next year, while Emerald sought contributions to pay off nearly $70,000 in campaign debt.

A spokeswoman for Hueso said the councilman covered the overhead costs for the May 26 fundraiser hosted by Sempra. Hueso accepted money from guests, but returned a $250 contribution from an SDG&E employee because the company may have pending business before the Coastal Commission, she said.